The Oath, Book 2 of The Coven Series

Chapter Fourteen

~The Protector ~

After spending the last few hours researching Protectors, I gave up and called my dad. Gran might know, but there wasn't a chance in hell I'd ask her. It would earn me a session of The Spanish Inquisition. Gran was very good at nosing out exactly what I was up to, so the best thing to do was not even mention it to her.

"Hello?"

I winced at my dad's scratchy, sleepy voice. It was barely six in the morning in LA.

"Hey, Dad," I said. "Did I wake you up?"

"It's Saturday, Melinda." He yawned the words. "Of course you woke me up, but I don't mind. The house is too quiet without you here. What's up, pumpkin? Everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's all cool," I told him. "I just had a question about a reference I ran across on the Internet, and I can't find any more information on it. Gran had no clue, but considering you are on the Council, I thought you might."

"This couldn't have waited until later?"

"You know me. Once I get focused on something, I can't stop until I'm satisfied."

I heard a suspicious sound, and then the toilet flushed. "Gross, Dad!"

"You were the one who woke me up, Melinda," he said, chuckling. "Now what is so important you had to wake me up before the crack of dawn?"

"It's hardly the crack of dawn," I grouched. "I can hear the sirens over the phone."

He only grunted.

"Have you ever heard the term Protector?"

"Where did you hear that?" he asked sharply, which made my eyebrows race to meet my hairline.

"I was doing some research on the use of dark magic and came across the term on a website. I don't remember which site, though," I said quickly to prevent him from asking.

He sighed, and I could just imagine him running a hand through his hair. It was his tell when he was nervous.

"Are they dangerous?" I asked. My gut told me Xavier was dangerous, despite his easygoing attitude.

"Extremely," he told me. "They're the right hands of Angels, Melinda Rose."

"What?" I squeaked. That couldn't be at all good.

"Protectors are assigned to certain people from birth. I know you're familiar with the Guardian Angel concept, but the truth of the matter is, they're busy beings. It's the Protectors who do all the actual work. They typically show up to try and protect someone from themselves or from following a path that will lead to something potentially devastating for the Heavenly realm. If the person can't be swayed from their destructive path, Protectors will execute them to protect not only the person, but Heaven and Earth as well."

I gulped. I couldn't help it. This path would lead to something that could harm Heaven? I was just after revenge for my sister. How could that hurt Heaven? Would Xavier really kill me if I tried to go through with my plan?

And he'd watched me since I was born. No wonder he knew so much about me. I wasn't sure how I felt about that. Just how old was he anyway? Did that make him pervy? Did I care?

"Melinda?"

"Hmm?"

"Is something wrong, honey?" There was a clear edge of concern in Dad's voice. If I didn't put him at ease, he'd fly out here in two heartbeats.